Evaluation of a Configurable, Mobile and Modular Floor-Pen System for Group-Housing of Laboratory Rabbits

Abstract

The major responsibility of researchers and laboratory animal facilities is to ensure animal well-being during the time of acclimatization, experiments, and recovery. In this context, animal housing conditions are of utmost importance. Here, we implemented a mobile and modular floor-pen housing system for laboratory rabbits that combines rabbits’ natural behavioral requirements and the high hygiene standards needed in biomedical science. Twelve female New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were single- or group-housed for 12 months in mobile and modular floor-pens. Their general health status was evaluated at the end of the experimental setup. Further, we performed behavioral analysis of six additional NZW females group-housed for eight weeks in pens of two different sizes. We show that our improved housing concept supported species-specific behavioral patterns. Taken together, our housing system provides an optimal setup for rabbits in animal facilities that combines strict requirements for animal experiments with animal welfare.

Evolutionary and functional characterization of lagomorph guanylate-binding proteins: a story of gain and loss and shedding light on expression, localization and innate immunity-related functions

“…Four 36-to 40-days old female New Zealand white rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) were ordered from Charles River (France) and housed for an additional acclimation week prior to organ removal in a specific pathogen-free (SPF)-barrier. The laboratory conditions and husbandry of the animals were identical to a recently published study ( 60 ). They were euthanized by slow intravenous injection of a lethal dose of sodium-pentobarbital (100 mg/kg Narcoren, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany).…”